Retro-Commissioning

Verifying Systems Perform as Intended

To be sustainable and high-performing, existing buildings may require green retro-commissioning services to validate that the facility and its systems operate as intended. This could either be a requirement for periodic validation as part of a facilities quality assurance program, or as a result of program, functional or operational changes to the facility and its systems.

Epsten Group applies a systematic process to existing buildings for identifying and implementing operational and maintenance improvements and for ensuring their continued performance over time. Our green retro-commissioning services assure system functionality. It is an inclusive and systematic process that intends to optimize not only how equipment and systems operate, but also how the systems function together.

Although retro-commissioning may include recommendations for capital improvements, Epsten Group’s primary focus during the retro-commissioning process is on using operations and maintenance (O&M) tune-up activities and diagnostic testing to optimize building systems.

Epsten Group’s retro-commissioning services include:

Document review

Facility staff interview

Assisting with the current facilities requirements document

Re-commissioning plan

Retro-commissioning plan

Field testing

System evaluations

Energy modeling

Systems commissioning

Building envelope commissioning

Planning

Implementation phase

O&M personnel training

Epsten Group has assembled a commissioning group with expertise throughout the design and construction industry, which benefits our retro-commissioning clients greatly by offering a multi-disciplinary approach. Our team includes individuals with backgrounds in design, construction management, test and balance, controls, and energy performance. Thanks to this experience and expertise, our clients receive peak value at each stage of the project from the design review effort through measurement and verification.

Communication is one of the most important components of a successful green retro-commissioning process. The commissioning agent must understand and be able to represent the interests and expectations of the owner to all team members. Epsten Group accomplishes this by engaging in communication, written and verbal, early in the process and frequently throughout the project. As the process begins, Epsten Group will make sure all project details and processes are established so that the project runs as smoothly as possible.

Epsten Group has extensive experience in providing retro-commissioning services to clients in a variety of industries. Our projects have varied in size and complexity, but have included high-profile projects at Georgia Tech, the University of Georgia and the University of Alabama. Our qualifications speak for themselves through repeat business with numerous clients, particularly colleges and universities.

Though we have built a strong commissioning portfolio based on technical expertise and customer service, we continually look for ways to improve our process and our deliverables. One way in which Epsten Group differs from other firms offering green retro-commissioning is our ability to provide real-time commissioning progress updates to our clients. We accomplish this through a user-friendly, internet-based commissioning tool that has been developed over many years by commissioning industry professionals. And we constantly strive to find new technologies and processes that will make our clients’ experience with our firm even better.

Epsten Group is committed to ensuring the energy efficiency of the building projects we are a part of – for our clients and the environment. Find out more about our comprehensive energy modelingservices.